Our fleet
Instruction here happens in a wide variety of boats. Between our Optis and SailCubes, Club 420s, Lasers, and J/22s, we have a curriculum — and a hull — to suit every age, ability, and size.
Ages 5–8 · Single-handed · Intro boat
SailCubes are designed for intro sailors — like an Opti, but easier on a first-timer. They self-bail, weigh 50% less than an Opti, and offer more durability, a larger cockpit, and better flotation, while remaining compatible with Opti parts.
Class association: sailqube.com
Ages 7–12 · Single-handed · Our beginner workhorse
The Optimist Dinghy — the Opti — is the largest junior racing fleet in the world and the international standard in junior instruction. Its simplicity and stability make it ideal for teaching young beginners, while the depth of the class makes it genuinely challenging for pre-teen racers.
MBJA owns a fleet of 12 well-maintained Optimists. Some Team Mac sailors who travel bring privately owned boats to practice and regattas, but MBJA offers charter boats to students who would like to try racing.
Class association: USODA.org
Ages 12–18 · Double-handed · Spinnaker and trapeze
The Club 420 is the most popular and versatile double-handed junior boat in North America. It is sturdy and safe while adding the challenge of a spinnaker and trapeze, and is best suited to sailors 12–18 years old and over 100 pounds.
MBJA has a fleet of 9 competitive, well-maintained Club 420s for the summer program. Team Mac 420 sailors use MBJA boats at practice; for away regattas, sailors charter or supply their own boat.
Class association: club420.org
High school & college · Spring and fall
The Collegiate 420 is used for our high school and college sailing programs in the spring and fall. It is the same hull as the Club 420 with trapeze and spinnaker gear added.
Sailors enrolled in the high school program use boats owned by MBJA and Hope College, so no one needs to own a boat to compete.
Ages 13+ · Single-handed · Progressive rig
The Laser is the single-handed option for sailors who have outgrown the Optimist. Three different sail plans let the boat fit a wide range of sizes, so it grows with the sailor.
Lasers suit sailors 13 and older, over 125 pounds, who are focused on racing — it is one of the fastest-growing one-design classes in North America and the primary singlehanded boat at youth events.
Class association: laser.org
Keelboat · 3–4 person crew
The J/22 is a popular racer/daysailer well suited to Macatawa Bay. Dinghy-like steering, a compact hull, and a large cockpit make it ideal for three- to four-person racing, and the non-overlapping jib keeps boat handling simple.
For extra challenge, a spinnaker can be flown with one person in the cockpit and one on the foredeck.
Class association: j22.com
501(c)(3) equipment donations
Equipment gifts are tax-deductible and go straight into the fleet our sailors use every day.
